Andy Serkis is best known for using motion-capture methods in his acting work.
Photograph: Joel Ryan/Invision/AP

Breathe, the directorial debut of Andy Serkis, has been selected as the opening film of this year’s BFI London film festival.

Starring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, Breathe is based on the true story of Robin Cavendish, who was diagnosed with polio while in Kenya and given months to live, only to survive and become an advocate for the rights of disabled people. Foy plays Diana, Cavendish’s wife, who helped him come to terms with his illness, while Hugh Bonneville appears as scientist Teddy Hall, who aided Cavendish in developing a revolutionary wheelchair. Tom Hollander, Stephen Mangan and Diana Rigg also appear in the film.

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The London screening will be the film’s European premiere. Serkis, who is best known for his motion-capture work as an actor on such films as the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Planet of the Apes prequels, is set to attend along with the film’s stars.

The 61st BFI London film festival will take place from 4-15 October. Other films screening at the festival include a restored version of Shiraz, the 1928 silent film about a 17th-century princess who inspired the construction of the Taj Mahal.